Pats Pick Wheatley

Terrence Wheatley: Cornerback from the University of Colorado. Extremely fast, makes lots of interceptions and is sort of smallish [5-9, 178]. He should return kicks for the Patriots right away and hopefully challenge either Ellis Hobbs or Fernando Bryant for a starting spot. The most likely thing that will happen though, barring injury, is that he will be worked into the lineup has a nickel back. Overall great pick.

More on his college career from NFL.com

Wheatley enrolled at Colorado in 2003, seeing action in 12 games on special teams and in six contests on defense. He started vs. Baylor and Kansas State at right cornerback, coming up with 30 tacklers (22 solo) and five pass deflections. He also gained 57 yards (29.5-yard average) on a pair of kickoff returns. His first start against Baylor was historical, as he joined Sammy Joseph at cornerback, marking the first time in CU history that a pair of freshmen started at the same position in the same game. On special teams, he ranked fifth on the squad with seven points.

He underwent right wrist surgery during the offseason and, even though he appeared in 13 2004 games, he did not win a starting job until the last five contests, taking over at right cornerback. Wheatley delivered 37 tackles (31 solo) with three pass deflections and four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also gained 357 yards on 16 kickoff returns (22.3-yard average). On kick-coverage units, he was credited with six points. Several additional surgeries on his right wrist forced the NCAA to grant Wheatley a medical hardship for the 2005 season. He returned to action in 2006, earning first-team All-Big Twelve Conference honors from the league's coaches. He started all 12 games at right cornerback, seeing more playing time (776 plays) than any other defender on the team. He produced 58 tackles (43 solo) with 1 1/2 sacks, 4 1/2 stops for losses and four pressures. He caused a fumble, recovered two others and led the team with 11 pass breakups. He also had five interceptions.

In 2007, Wheatley garnered preseason All-American second-team (Scout.com, The NFL Draft Report) honors. He was on the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's top defensive back) Watch List and also received All-Big Twelve first-team preseason accolades. He shifted to the demanding left cornerback position, making 17 tackles (14 solo) with eight pass deflections and two interceptions. He caused a fumble and gained 506 yards on 19 kickoff returns (26.6-yard average).

Through 37 games at Colorado, Wheatley started 25 contests. He participated in 1,933 defensive plays, recording 142 tackles (111 solo) with 1 1/2 sacks for minus-5 yards, 6 1/2 stops for losses for 13 yards and five quarterback pressures. He recovered two fumbles and caused three others. He also deflected 27 passes (tied for ninth in Colorado history). He ranks tied for sixth in school history with 11 interceptions for 124 yards in returns (11.3 avg) and his two touchdowns rank second on the Colorado all-time record list. He ranks fifth in school history with 937 yards on 38 kickoff returns (24.66 avg). He also added 18 hits on the special-teams coverage units.